Note: Hiss and noise as on original tape. Additional Title: Caltrans Earthquake History of Bob Coe Series Title: Loma Prieta Oral History Project Description: In the wake of the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Caltrans commissioned an oral history project to document the personal and professional experiences of Caltrans employees who worked to restore the State's damaged transportation system. This recording is the Loma Prieta Oral History of Bob Coe, who was a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor at the Bay Bridge. When the earthquake struck, he was at home in Rodeo getting ready to watch the World Series. After the earthquake Coe saw the damage to the Bay Bridge on the television and he realized that he would have to report to work. He first went to the Carquinez Bridge where he met one of his supervisors. Upon seeing no major structure damage, Coe headed to the Bay Bridge. His first responsibility was to evacuate the Administration Building to inspect for gas leaks, where people were reluctant to leave and once this was done Coe had to get power to the Maintenance facility. He had to locate a truck to get a generator then see to it that the generator was hooked up properly. There was no water or sewage to the Maintenance Shop or Administration after the quake, it took several days to get both fixed. Then Coe had his crew start to repair the Bay Bridge deck. 

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